When selecting new driveway gates or garden gates there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration in order to specify the correct product.
In addition to the most important consideration of cost, there are a number of other things to think about such as the level of security you are looking to achieve and the design of driveway gates or garden gates you would like.
With gates becoming available in more and more designs, the choice is pretty endless so it pays to look around and see which is the preferred design.
Cost
The cost of the gates will be largely dependent upon the size, the type of material, the construction, the design and the finish.
Material
Metal gates are a very popular choice for driveways and side gates and are very affordable. Wrought iron gates are in comparison expensive and very heavy. For a more traditional look, timber is a very popular choice.
Size
It may sound obvious but the larger the gate the more expensive the gate is likely to be. Also don’t be fooled by clever marketing images, all gates look the same in a picture but there is a vast variation in the quality of cheap imported gates and gates from leading UK manufacturers.
Construction
Most metal gates are constructed in a similar way. However, the biggest variations are in the quality of the steel used in the manufacturing process. Timber gates are generally constructed in various ways depending upon budget. A gate that is mortice and tennoned will be more expensive than a braced gate.
Design
Gates are available in such a wide variety of designs that there is sure to be one to suit all requirements. These standard designs are pretty affordable for the average homeowner. For a one off bespoke design you will expect to pay a lot more.
Finish
Most gates are supplied in either a primer finish in the case of metal gates or for wooden gates the timber is usually pressure treated then dipped in preservative during manufacture. It is essential that this is taken into consideration when pricing a new garden gates or driveway gates. An intricate design is very time consuming to paint and will often require maintenance and repainting every few years to keep it in good working order.